A/N -
Well, hello again. Here is another little terror from muse. It's short and mostly exposition, but it seems to work. Do enjoy. Or not.
I don't own zootopia.
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There are many things in this world. Things of the light, and of the darkness. It is a constant battle between the two, and it is not in fact, as many might say, a battle of good versus evil, moral versus immortal, right versus wrong. No, it is simply a battle for dominance, and in truth, it is just the seeking of a balance.
Sadly, this balance can require sacrifices from the sentient beings in the universe, many without knowing the reason. The oft refrain that the universe doesn't care, and this is true. 'Why me?', is often asked. 'What did I do to deserve this?' It is rarely a question that has an answer. Why you? The answer is really as simple as, because you were in the right place at the right time, or wrong time in the opinion of most, when the worst happens.
In this battle of light over dark, positive over negative, there are battles won and lost on both sides. Though it is again really just the universe seeking a balance. Gods rise and fall. Countries, and civilizations rise, shining bright and glorious, only to fall into dystopia and darkness, before being wiped away and forgotten by history.
This has happened countless times across countless worlds and civilizations both ancient and newly minted. The city of Zootopia is no less free from that, and in fact, it is perhaps a small epicenter of that conflict. A shining city upon a hill, drawing all sorts to its light like moths to a flame.
Dawn Bellwether was not an isolated thing, and the city held it's shining position by having a dark underbelly where the worst of mammal kind thrived. It maintained its brilliance through the suppression of certain species. Yet there are those who fight for the light that can be blinded by it. And while in the short term, they may make the world a better place. Eventually, the balance must be restored. It is how that happens that can be terrible. It is in how that happens that can be the most tragic.
In Zootopia, one small gray rabbit fought to prove that rabbits could be more than fearful farmers. In the process of doing just that, she saved a predator, a red fox who became her friend, her partner, and eventually he mate. Their example proved that foxes, given the chance could be so much more and the lot within the city, of foxes and others, began to improve.
The balance however demands it's pound of flesh, and together, Nick and Judy drove things too far towards the light. Because of this, they attracted the attention of those that fought for the darkness just as they fought for the light. Knowingly or not, the balance will enforce itself.
Judith Laverne HoppsWilde. First rabbit in the ZPD. Valedictorian of her class. First rabbit to marry a fox. First rabbit to bare the young of a fox. Their relationship was a shining beacon that brought so many inter-species couples into the light. Their efforts bringing foxes and others out of the shadows.
Judy found herself hiding behind a set of crates. Hiding from her partner, her mate, the love of her love and father of her kits. They had been part of a raid to take down a new drug cartel in the city. Only, it was a trap. A trap set specifically for them. Most of the officers were killed, while she and Nick were taken.
"Juuuuudddyyy…. Where are you my love? Come out. I just want to chat."
Judy whimpered silently. They both knew what he had been exposed to. They had no secrets. It was a twisted thing that had many names. It's effects, devastating, and it left her with a faustian dilemma. The chemicals would end up killing him if he didn't kill her first.
The drug, if that is what one could call it, turned the feelings of love, affection, etc… around. Love becomes hate, and all that goes with it. Affection, loathing. The instinct to protect ones mate becoming the literal instinctive need to kill them, and the deeper seated that instinct, such as with a red fox, the more violent that end would need to be.
Thus how Judy and Nick found themselves. Nick drugged. His love for Judy turned into a literal weapon, as him as the implementation of that horror.. Judy running in fear for her life from her mate. The one mammal she knew would, could, never hurt her. Now turned into either her murderer. Now she must decide. Allow him to kill her and live what short bit of his life will be left after that with the knowledge that he killed her in the most heinous way he could conceive of. Or… She could be running, wait it out, and Nick would die. Killed me the drug in his system and twisting him into something she know he isn't.
Leave their kits orphans, or let her mate die in agony. Of course, there was another option, she could challenge him, kill him herself. That too would free him, and she knew he would forgive her, would probably demand that of her.
"Come on, Fluff. Don't be like this. You know you love me."
A tear dripped from her eye as she whispered to herself. "I do love you, Nick. I love you more than anything. More than life itself, and I would give my own life to save yours, just as I know you would give yours for me."
Leaving her hiding spot and making her way quickly to the center of the massive room they were being kept in. Watched, she knew. They could see the cameras. She looked around. "I'm here Nick. I do love you, but this isn't you anymore because of the Cursed Love. Only you can break it, but do what you must. Know that I do not blame you, no matter what."
Her sensitive ears twitching as she heard and sensed him approach her from behind. His muzzle slipping between her ears as it did in the asylum all those years ago, his claws sliding gently through the fur of her waist. "Hello, rabbit. Accepted your fate?"
Judy closed her eyes and leaned back against him. "I love you Nick. I always have and always will. We promised each other. In this life and the next. Until the stars burn out. You are mine, and I am yours. No matter what. Because I know you will remember this. I do not blame you."
Nick chuckled darkly. "Good to know." His grip tightening to the point his claws caused her to wince as they began to draw blood.
Tears streaming down her face, but refusing to call out, because that is what those that did this to her and her mate wanted. They wanted her screams to echo in his ears before they killed him too, and she knew they would try and make his life last. "I love you, Nicholas Piberius Wilde. Never question that. No matter what."
"That was never in question, Fluff…"
… What happens next? I leave that up to you, my dear reader. Does he kill her, thus saving himself from the effects of the Cursed Love? Does she slip a blade between his ribs? Do they fight it out? Does he overcome the effects, their commitment, their love, stronger than any drug? You tell me, because Muse isn't.
If you are wondering, this bit of twisted fun was brought on by this: youtu . be / mj8fg - SMnqQ (Remove the spaces)
